Cigital did a study on Texas Hold’em poker last year December, in corporation with PokerStars. This study shows Texas Hold’em is a game of ’skill’. The study was performed with 103 million hands. Results of the study show that 75.7 percent of the hands were won during the bet, raise or fold stage, showing only 24.3 percent wins on showdown.
The results were written by professor Sean McCulloch of Wesleyan University in Ohio and Paco Hope, technical manager of Cigital in collaboration with online casino PokerStars, Its purpose was “to establish clear numbers derived from a significant sample of actual play.” Three-quarters of the hands were resolved before players flip over their cards to see who won. Of the 24.3% of hands that made it to showdown, just 50.3% are won by the player who would have made the best hand. In the other 49.7%, the player with the best hand folded that is why the player who held the best hand, won only 12% of the time at showdown.
The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) with more than a million member is the US, could not be happier with the study, the PPA used the study recently in court cases in South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Colorado. PPA Chairman Alfonse D’Amato, poker player and former senator of New York said in a press release: “As a poker player, I can tell you that knowing when to hold or fold is not based solely on the cards that are dealt, but a series of decisions based on skill and the actions taken by the other players. This study provides the raw data to back up the compelling arguments made by poker players around the world that it’s skill, not pure luck, that determines the outcome of this game.” The study was presented by professor Robert Hannum in the court case against 5 defendants accused of illegal gambling in South Carolina. Judge Larry Duffy said: “Texas Hold’em is a game of skill. The evidence and studies are overwhelming that this is so.” The 5 defendants were still found guilty, the case is due for appeal and the study can now be used as evidence in more cases against online gambling.
The Swedish government wants an internet filter to ban foreign casino and gambling sites, in their pursuit to shut down child pornography online. This is a proposition from a Government report. The proposition was not a welcome sight for several businesses, local governments and private interests. They say the proposition creates a censorship and puts freedom of speech at risk.
There is a pre-implementation period till April 1st, where the consultative body and private citizen can give their opinion on to the proposition. It became immediately clear that the proposition to ban foreign online casino sites, received a lot of negative response. The proposition, one of many in the report, states that Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) are obligated to ban foreign online casino. In practice the IPS’s voluntary ban child-pornography, according to the report, a government agency will decide which sites will be banned, and inform visitors of that sites that these sites are illegal. Both ISP’s as government agencies are against the proposition. Jon Karlung, CEO of Bahnhof, one of Sweden most largest ISP, says: “it’s the first ever attempt in Sweden to censor the Internet, and should be stopped to avoid a slippery slope.”
Gambling in Sweden is regulated, but the state has a monopoly, Svenska Spel, the largest gambling company in Sweden, is owned by the state. The Swedish Post and Telecom agency ensured that online gambling is not illegal, and asks why a legal action should be banned, they even say it is limitation of freedom of speech. Anders Borg, Minister of Finance, said the ban might go too far. The High Courts say there are no similar regulations in other areas of Swedish law. The Social Democratic party of Lars Wegendal does agree with the proposition.
The American UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) which was created in 2006, states that it is illegal for an American citizen to transfer money online in order to gamble. This law does not keep a lot of people from going online and bet some cash in an online casino. A lot of European businesses retreated after the legislation became active on the American market, losing out on a lot of revenue. However PartyGaming and 888.com await possible prosecution for allowing US citizens to place bets on their site. Founder of PartyGaming, Anurag Dikshit, has paid a settlement of 300 million dollars. But, the European Committee believes this is in violation with the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
An European Union representative said, such laws restrain a free market, and thus is in violation with the WTO rules, who plead for an open market. He did stressed, that despite action through WTO would work, they would rather work with America to find a negotiated solution. “It is for the US to decide how best to regulate internet gambling in its market, but this must be done in a way that fully respects WTO obligations.”According to EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton. Last year, after prosecution of European executives, and the charge against several investment bankers which gave advice to online casino operators, the Remote Gambling Association ordered the European Commission to investigate, because these actions are in violation with the rules of the WTO.
English bookmaker Better has fired old Arsenal legend Paul Merson from its advertising campaign. Managing director of Better said they took the decision after receiving ‘a lot’ of complaints.
Paul Merson especially known for his time with Arsenal, was asked to do the campaign at a social event. The 41 year old ex problem gambler has fought years against his gambling addiction, which was well documented. This did not fell good with people. Ian Hogg, managing director of Better said they never meant to offence people and they are pulling the campaign, he also said: “We have no wish to cause any offence or inflame online gambling as an issue.” Also Hogg stressed their relations with Merson remains good, it is even possible they will work with Merson in the future on a anti problem-gambling campaign.
Pressure on the UIGEA is becoming greater and greater, more companies and people joining the fight against the ban on gambling. The NFL (National Football League) wants nothing to do with change. That is why they hired full-time lobbyist, to maintain the UIGEA and defend the rights of the NFL. A lobbyist, is a person who battles legislations, ordered by third persons or companies.
Pending actions against the UIGEA and potential labour trouble which threatens their position, made them hire Jeff Miller as a lobbyist for the NFL. Miller who has been working the last 8 years for senator Herb Kohl said they want to maintain the integrity of the game, but gambling and online casinos threatens that. Also Miller will keep an eye on the renewal of the Satellite Broadcasting legislation. NFL vice president, Joe Browne said they need to come to the 21st century, because other entertainment businesses and sports had full-time Washington operations already, Major League Baseball, for example.
Yesterday, Senator Raymond Lesniak sued the US government, together with a few associations that support the interest of dog and horse races, in order to lift a ban on all legal sport betting. They (Lesniak and associates) say the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 is in conflict with 5 amendments to the US Constitution, by discriminating against the people of New Jersey and by regulating a matter that should be reserved to the states.
With eleven casinos in Atlantic City, gambling is one of New Jersey’s main sources of income. ”How can Congress say to the people of the state of New Jersey, You do not have this right that the people in Nevada do?” Lesniak asked. The PASPA which became active in 1992, states that it is illegal for a state or a person to organise, advertise, wager etcetera on sport bets. This law is not active on states that already had sports betting before the PASPA became active, these states are: Nevada, Montana, Oregon and Delaware. Despite the fact that it is illegal to gamble, almost all of America is involved in either March Madness brackets or Super Bowl pools. Billions of dollars are gambled in off- and online casinos in America, an estimated 300 billion dollars disappears in illegal back room bookmakers, offshore internet operations and organised crime.
New Jersey is struggling in the current economic crisis and is feeling competition from Nevada that does sports betting. Should Lesniak win the case, it would mean the PASPA is no longer in force, and so all Americans can join the sports betting in online casinos or their land based counterparts.
The last couple of months, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), has been under tremendous pressure, with the world economy at his knees, US is starting to see online gambling as a way of stimulating the economy instead of raising taxes. Because of the UIGEA, US government is running out on billions of dollars in taxes. Two convinced anti-UIGEA’ers have joined ranks and are fighting the UIGEA together, making clear waiting for an answer is almost over.
Mike DeCesare, the chief of staff for Congressman Jim McDermott said: “I expect that we will introduce the legislation in 2-3 weeks. Like last session, we will introduce after Congressman Barney Frank’s legislation.” McDermott, most known for bill H.R. 6501 in 2008, which would make online gambling or waging taxable, revenues of the tax would be invested in declining economic sectors. Off course we all know Barney Frank, last year, he introduced the Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act, which would repeal the UIGEA. But the bill never made it to the House floor for a vote.
It’s a matter of waiting for the next few weeks. More and more people and businesses are gathering for the fight against the UIGEA. Making it easier to repeal it. A step forward for online gambling and online casino’s in the U.S.
